Waffles have always been an underrated part of breakfast and brunch. Trendy avocado toasts and Benedicts have swept the spotlight from these griddly pieces of perfection, no matter how many people learn how wonderfully their pair with fried chicken. But not today — not on our watch. Here are our favorite spots to get our favorite golden brown treats.

This beautiful waffle haven tucked inside 4th Street Market just might be the best place to get your breakfast on in the whole building. Sure you can go basic, with a beautifully fried Belgian waffle topped with cinnamon sugar, but you can also go a little less basic with white chocolate macadamia nut waffle, or you can go even LESS LESS basic with their chorizo waffle, topped with avocado, pickled jalepeños, crema, cotija cheese, and a sunny side up egg. I think we all know what the clear move here is.

Beer and waffles: that’s what The Iron Press is about. Regular waffles? Bingo, they got ‘em. Waffle sandwiches? Yep, got that too. Waffle fries? Not really a waffle but they’re delicious so it still counts. If you’re looking to up your traditional waffle craving, hit up their “Cap N Crunch”, a beautiful monstrosity of cereal-infused waffle with a milk drizzle and vanilla ice cream. LEMME GET AN AMEN!

Waffle everything is available at The Iron Press, including this dessert | photo courtesy of 100eats

If you can get past the name — which I’m convinced is a riddle designed to trick you — you will find the dessert mecca you never knew you wanted. The move here is waffles on a stick in the shape of honeycomb (hence the name) and topped with such luxuries as cheesecake bites, Oreo cookie butter, strawberries, and a whole lot more. Oh, and they have some of the tastiest, most colorful milkshakes in Irvine to go with your waffle.

The dessert waffle you never knew you wanted is courtesy of Sweet COMBforts, located at TRADE in Irvine | photo courtesy of Sweet COMBforts

Bruxie

Orange & Other Locations

Bruxie expertly rides the line between the soul food world of chicken & waffles and the breakfast world of eggs & waffles. You can get your hands on a fried chicken sandwich on a waffle at the same time your friend gets their hands on a crunchy breakfast waffle with maple syrup and powdered sugar. Power to the waffle. Power to the griddle.

Waffle sandwiches have been redefined by Bruxie | photo courtesy of Bruxie

Flappy Jack’s Pancake House

Orange

Don’t be fooled by the pancake shoutout in Flappy Jack’s name; it’s just as much a spot for waffles as it is for pancakes. These bad boys are served up classic diner style, with a creative twist. They have a unique flowery shape and can be topped with strawberries, pecans, cinnamon apples, and the rest of the homestyle waffle favorites you crave. Don’t be afraid to go Hawaiian style either, with pineapple & coconut flakes both baked in and served on top.

The prettiest waffle you ever did see | photo courtesy of @jissacj on instagram

Howlin Ray’s

Chinatown

If you haven’t heard of Howlin Ray’s by now, you’re probably hiding in a chicken-less hole. Straight from Nashville, Howlin Ray’s has been making waves as the probably-best chicken in LA, with a line that usually lasts at least an hour. What does this have to do with waffles? On Saturdays and Sundays, they do some of the best chicken and waffles in the city, that’s what.

Get some incredible waffles to pair with that famous HOT Chicken on the weekend over at Howlin' Rays | photo courtesy of Howlin' Rays

Fred 62

Los Feliz

Simplicity is the key at Fred 62, and their Strawberry Beret is just that. And since Fred 62 is open 24/7, you can experience the joyous harmony of a golden brown waffle, strawberries, and powdered sugar farrrrr into the night. Plus, science says they taste better after last call anyway.

Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles

Hollywood & Other Locations

There might not be a more iconic chicken & waffles spot in LA than Roscoe’s. Though the chicken and waffles tradition is rooted in the south, it’s safe to say Roscoe’s took the lead on making it a thing in Southern California. The waffles are a grand slam, and nobody will shame you for drenching them in hot sauce AND maple syrup. It’s the Roscoe’s way.